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bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
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In this 8th volume of the Eleanor Swift Mystery series, our intrepid heroine heads to Scotland for the holidays to stay at her friends’ castle. It’s a bit of a house party, that is, until one of the guests winds up dead. It’s up to Eleanor to find the culprit. Since Castle Ranburgh is reachable only by crossing the loch, Eleanor knows that someone on the island is responsible.
The mysteries in these books are great. The author really keeps you guessing with red herrings and clues in every direction. The wonderful 1920s settings and styles are descriptive and really take you back in time to the Golden Age of mysteries. I’ve not read all the Eleanor Swift books, but I’m getting there, and I have to say that this was probably the most on-edge I’ve been while reading the books. This locked room mystery kept me on my toes.
Have no fear if you’ve read other volumes of the series: Clifford and Gladstone, the Bulldog, are present and accounted for in this volume and have made the trek to Scotland with Eleanor. Once again, Eleanor shows off her skills in a variety of ways, and the ever-reliant Clifford is always ready to lend her a hand. Well done!
In this 8th volume of the Eleanor Swift Mystery series, our intrepid heroine heads to Scotland for the holidays to stay at her friends’ castle. It’s a bit of a house party, that is, until one of the guests winds up dead. It’s up to Eleanor to find the culprit. Since Castle Ranburgh is reachable only by crossing the loch, Eleanor knows that someone on the island is responsible.
The mysteries in these books are great. The author really keeps you guessing with red herrings and clues in every direction. The wonderful 1920s settings and styles are descriptive and really take you back in time to the Golden Age of mysteries. I’ve not read all the Eleanor Swift books, but I’m getting there, and I have to say that this was probably the most on-edge I’ve been while reading the books. This locked room mystery kept me on my toes.
Have no fear if you’ve read other volumes of the series: Clifford and Gladstone, the Bulldog, are present and accounted for in this volume and have made the trek to Scotland with Eleanor. Once again, Eleanor shows off her skills in a variety of ways, and the ever-reliant Clifford is always ready to lend her a hand. Well done!
booksbybindu's review against another edition
5.0
‘Death On A Winter’s Day’ is a festive, joyous cosy crime story that just makes me feel all fuzzy. Yes, it's about crime but it's the main characters we have grown to love that makes this series. Although, I have to say I loved that the setting moved to Scotland! This is the 8th book in the Lady Swift series but you can pick this up as a standalone very easily. I do urge you to read the whole series as they are a complete riot! They have that balance of dark and light balanced to perfection - murder and humour with great characterisation!
I adored this book - such a shocker that I am going to wax lyrical about this series again! I lucked out by reading this when I was on holiday in Appin last week and it felt as if I had actually stepped into the locus of this book!
I could actually see this view from my window! How appropriate is that? Although Verity might not have taken inspiration from this location it felt so authentic to me.
In this outing, Eleanor and the gang find themselves in Scotland for Christmas. But alas, the host's staff have refused to work Christmas day as they are Presbyterian’s and think that celebrating it is a sin. So Eleanor offers her staff’s services and off they all trot to the back of beyond. Whilst playing the after-dinner game of ‘wink’ one of the guests is murdered and it's up to Eleanor and Clifford to work out who the murderer was as the local police staff are useless! Where is Hugh when you need him?!
The one bit of this book I was jumping up and down with joy is the ending! Let's just say many fans are going to be very happy. As usual, the character’s were great and I liked the addition of Lizzie.
I really hope you pick this one up as it's a great series!
I adored this book - such a shocker that I am going to wax lyrical about this series again! I lucked out by reading this when I was on holiday in Appin last week and it felt as if I had actually stepped into the locus of this book!
I could actually see this view from my window! How appropriate is that? Although Verity might not have taken inspiration from this location it felt so authentic to me.
In this outing, Eleanor and the gang find themselves in Scotland for Christmas. But alas, the host's staff have refused to work Christmas day as they are Presbyterian’s and think that celebrating it is a sin. So Eleanor offers her staff’s services and off they all trot to the back of beyond. Whilst playing the after-dinner game of ‘wink’ one of the guests is murdered and it's up to Eleanor and Clifford to work out who the murderer was as the local police staff are useless! Where is Hugh when you need him?!
The one bit of this book I was jumping up and down with joy is the ending! Let's just say many fans are going to be very happy. As usual, the character’s were great and I liked the addition of Lizzie.
I really hope you pick this one up as it's a great series!
simoneclark's review
5.0
Thank you, Bookouture and Verity Bright, for a complimentary copy of this book! The review reflects my personal and unbiased opinion.
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!! Finally more of Lady Eleanor and Seldon's prickling relationship--gee, I love these two!!!! The setting of this 8th book in the series is also perfect: a beautiful castle in Scotland and during the Christmas holidays no less, what better place and time for a bit of amateur sleuthing, right? This book ranks right up there with Murder at the Fair. I didn't want this book to end! But let's paddle back and dive in a bit deeper. This book had a lot going on in addition to the main story. Lady Eleanor doesn't travel to Scotland alone. When she finds out that the Baroness' staff refuse to prepare for Christmas, she takes her own staff with her to ensure that Christmas will be enjoyable. That, of course, includes her most loyal butler (and dare I say friend) Clifford. And let's not forget Eleanor's bulldog Gladstone. No Lady Swift murder mystery would be complete without him. At first, it seems that the evening will be quite boring, but when the hosts and guests decide to play a game, things get crazy. One of the guests, the American Eugene Randall ends up dead with a dirk sticking out of his back. Eleanor is not the only one in the castle who wants answers. When she starts digging deeper, sticking her nose in things that make the killer nervous, he/she strikes again! Can Eleanor solve this mystery? Well, you will have to read the book to find out, but I can tell you one thing: if you think you have it figured out, you are most likely wrong! What I loved about this book is not only that Eleanor's "maybe or maybe, we know but they don't know boyfriend" plays a bigger role in unmasking the killer and we see more of his interaction with Eleanor but also that the authors were able to bring a paranormal/legend element to the story. It made the plot even more interesting! Yet another great book added to this already fantastic series!
Yes, yes, yes!!!!!!! Finally more of Lady Eleanor and Seldon's prickling relationship--gee, I love these two!!!! The setting of this 8th book in the series is also perfect: a beautiful castle in Scotland and during the Christmas holidays no less, what better place and time for a bit of amateur sleuthing, right? This book ranks right up there with Murder at the Fair. I didn't want this book to end! But let's paddle back and dive in a bit deeper. This book had a lot going on in addition to the main story. Lady Eleanor doesn't travel to Scotland alone. When she finds out that the Baroness' staff refuse to prepare for Christmas, she takes her own staff with her to ensure that Christmas will be enjoyable. That, of course, includes her most loyal butler (and dare I say friend) Clifford. And let's not forget Eleanor's bulldog Gladstone. No Lady Swift murder mystery would be complete without him. At first, it seems that the evening will be quite boring, but when the hosts and guests decide to play a game, things get crazy. One of the guests, the American Eugene Randall ends up dead with a dirk sticking out of his back. Eleanor is not the only one in the castle who wants answers. When she starts digging deeper, sticking her nose in things that make the killer nervous, he/she strikes again! Can Eleanor solve this mystery? Well, you will have to read the book to find out, but I can tell you one thing: if you think you have it figured out, you are most likely wrong! What I loved about this book is not only that Eleanor's "maybe or maybe, we know but they don't know boyfriend" plays a bigger role in unmasking the killer and we see more of his interaction with Eleanor but also that the authors were able to bring a paranormal/legend element to the story. It made the plot even more interesting! Yet another great book added to this already fantastic series!
ewil6681's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Death on a Winter's Day is the 8th Lady Eleanor Swift cozy mystery by pseudonymous writing duo Verity Bright. Released 24th Nov. 2021, it's 288 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the rest of the series) are currently included in the KU library to borrow and read for free.
This is such a lightly humorous and honestly fun read. The entire series is just perfect for lifting the spirits and a reading escape to a simpler time. The style is reminiscent of earlier golden age inter-war mysteries. It's irreverent, with an appealing ensemble cast of amateur society sleuth Lady Eleanor and her butler/dogsbody Clifford whom she inherited along with her title from her late uncle as well as assorted society friends and servants. Gladstone the elderly bulldog also brings his unique support efforts to bear, helping untangle this holiday mystery set in Scotland.
It's a fast and undemanding cozy; the language is clean, the crimes are not written violently or explicitly and the denouement is satisfyingly twisty and well written. For readers looking for verisimilitude in dialogue and action, be warned, this series is full of modern vernacular and sensibilities. Eleanor fraternizes with the servants and has shockingly bohemian attitudes and fraternizes with the servants.
Four stars, a decidedly exuberant and whimsical romp. There are now 11 extant books in the series, with the 12th due out in Nov 2022. This series is a prime candidate for binge reading. Although each of the books is self contained, I recommend reading them in order (though it's not absolutely necessary).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Death on a Winter's Day is the 8th Lady Eleanor Swift cozy mystery by pseudonymous writing duo Verity Bright. Released 24th Nov. 2021, it's 288 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book (and the rest of the series) are currently included in the KU library to borrow and read for free.
This is such a lightly humorous and honestly fun read. The entire series is just perfect for lifting the spirits and a reading escape to a simpler time. The style is reminiscent of earlier golden age inter-war mysteries. It's irreverent, with an appealing ensemble cast of amateur society sleuth Lady Eleanor and her butler/dogsbody Clifford whom she inherited along with her title from her late uncle as well as assorted society friends and servants. Gladstone the elderly bulldog also brings his unique support efforts to bear, helping untangle this holiday mystery set in Scotland.
It's a fast and undemanding cozy; the language is clean, the crimes are not written violently or explicitly and the denouement is satisfyingly twisty and well written. For readers looking for verisimilitude in dialogue and action, be warned, this series is full of modern vernacular and sensibilities. Eleanor fraternizes with the servants and has shockingly bohemian attitudes and fraternizes with the servants.
Four stars, a decidedly exuberant and whimsical romp. There are now 11 extant books in the series, with the 12th due out in Nov 2022. This series is a prime candidate for binge reading. Although each of the books is self contained, I recommend reading them in order (though it's not absolutely necessary).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
the_sassy_bookworm's review
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have really been digging cozy mysteries set in the 1920s lately, and this was another fabulous read. The writing was excellent. It stood up well as a standalone (I cannot wait to dive into the first seven books). The plot was engaging with plenty of red herrings. The setting (Scotland) was lovely and atmospheric. There was a light touch of folklore, and the characters were very likable. I especially loved the relationship between Eleanor and Clifford. I can't wait to see what happens next for these characters!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
nordseestrand's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bamboopanda's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5